When it comes to correcting short-sightedness, most people think of glasses or traditional contact lenses. But there’s another option that’s becoming increasingly popular: orthokeratology (ortho-k). If you’re weighing up your choices, it helps to understand how ortho-k lenses differ from standard daytime contact lenses, and the factors that might mean one option suits you better than the other.
How Traditional Contact Lenses Work
Traditional soft or gas-permeable lenses are worn during the day to correct your vision. They sit directly on the eye and bend light in a way that compensates for short-sightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. The moment you remove them, your eyesight returns to its natural state.
They’re simple and effective, but they also come with some drawbacks: dryness, discomfort after long wear, restrictions during sport or swimming, and the ongoing need to insert and remove them every day.
How Ortho-K Lenses Work
Ortho-k contact lenses take an almost opposite approach. These custom-made rigid gas-permeable lenses are worn overnight while you sleep. They gently reshape the surface of the cornea, correcting the way light is focused on the retina.
In the morning, you remove the lenses and enjoy clear vision all day without needing glasses or contacts. The effect is temporary and reversible, so the lenses must be worn each night to maintain results.
Key Differences at a Glance
When you wear them:
Traditional lenses: worn during the day.
- Ortho-k: worn at night only.
Lifestyle impact:
- Traditional lenses: can cause dryness, discomfort, and limitations in sport.
- Ortho-k: freedom from glasses or lenses during the day.
Suitability for children:
- Traditional lenses: correct vision only while worn and are difficult to supervise throughout the day.
- Ortho-k: can also slow the progression of myopia, making them popular for younger patients, and use can be supervised easier at night
Permanence:
- Neither option is permanent, but ortho-k reshapes the eye temporarily, while traditional lenses provide correction only while in place.
Which Is Right for You?
If you’re looking for a straightforward, familiar option, traditional contact lenses remain a good choice. However, if you want the freedom of clear, unaided vision all day, ortho-k lenses could be life-changing. If you’re unsure, make an appointment with us at The Bromley Eye Centre, where our qualified staff will be able to help you make the right decision for your overall health and quality of life.
